grand
grand — adjective
1. being the most important, largest, or most powerful among things of the same typ
being the most important, largest, or most powerful among things of the same type; serving as the main or leading item in a group.
The grand prize for the competition was a two-week trip to Japan.
attributive use: grand prize (most important award)
Putri's grand ambition was to become a marine biologist and protect the ocean.
The grand entrance to the museum was decorated with tall marble columns.
After winning the grand final, the team celebrated with their cheering fans.
A grand total of four hundred people attended the charity dinner on Saturday.
文法句型
grand + noun
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun in this sense — you would not say 'The prize was grand' to mean 'the prize was the most important.'
常見錯誤
2. extremely large, beautiful, or costly in a way that makes people feel admiration
extremely large, beautiful, or costly in a way that makes people feel admiration or wonder.
Rafael bought a grand old house near the beach with a big garden.
attributive: grand + old + house (collocation pattern)
The castle had a grand dining hall with paintings on every wall.
Min dreamed of a grand wedding with two hundred guests from all over the world.
Everything about the palace looked grand — the carpets, the lights, and the furniture.
A grand feast was prepared for the New Year celebration in the village square.
- majestic
suggests stately dignity, often for natural scenery or large buildings
- magnificent
emphasizes beauty and richness more than sheer size
- splendid
more about visual brilliance; common in British English
- imposing
focuses on the feeling of awe or slight intimidation
文法句型
grand + noun
be + grand
常見錯誤
3. used within the official title given to a particular building, natural landmark,
used within the official title given to a particular building, natural landmark, or public event, signalling that it is very large or magnificent.
The Grand Canyon is one of the most famous natural wonders in the world.
proper name: the Grand Canyon
We spent the night at the Grand Hotel near the train station in Taipei.
A jazz band was playing at the Grand Theatre on Saturday evening.
Zayd took a boat tour on the Grand Canal during his trip to Venice.
文法句型
the Grand + noun
用法筆記
This sense only applies inside fixed proper names. You cannot freely say 'a grand canyon' to mean 'a large canyon' — that would require sense 2.
常見錯誤
4. wonderfully good, fun, or satisfying; a casual way of saying that an experience
wonderfully good, fun, or satisfying; a casual way of saying that an experience or situation is very pleasant.
We had a grand time at the beach — the weather was perfect all day.
informal collocation: have a grand time
The weather was grand for the picnic, so the children played outside until dark.
Élise said the concert was grand — the band played all her favourite songs.
A grand dinner of roast chicken and fresh salad made everyone happy after the long trip.
文法句型
grand + noun
be/look/feel + grand
用法筆記
Chiefly used in British and Australian English. More common in spoken language than in formal writing. Often appears in fixed pairs like 'a grand time' or 'grand weather.'
常見錯誤
5. acting or speaking in a way that suggests you believe you are more important, ri
acting or speaking in a way that suggests you believe you are more important, richer, or of a higher social class than other people.
The director put on grand airs and refused to talk to anyone below his rank.
fixed phrase: put on grand airs (act superior)
Niran's employer spoke in a grand manner about owning three houses abroad.
When the waiter made a small mistake, the customer gave him a grand, angry look.
Some residents disliked the way the new neighbour behaved with such grand confidence.
文法句型
grand + noun
act/talk/behave + grand
用法筆記
Often carries a negative tone — it criticises the person's attitude. The related phrase 'put on grand airs' is the most common fixed expression in this sense.
常見錯誤
6. focused on noble, spiritual, or deeply thoughtful subjects rather than everyday
focused on noble, spiritual, or deeply thoughtful subjects rather than everyday concerns; aiming at what is morally or intellectually elevated.
The professor spoke about grand ideas such as justice, freedom, and human dignity.
collocation: grand ideas (noble concepts)
Amani's novel explored grand themes of love and sacrifice across three generations.
The grand vision of a peaceful world inspired many people to join the movement.
The music swelled and felt grand and emotional, filling the whole hall with sound.
文法句型
grand + abstract noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2: sense 2 describes physical size or visual impressiveness, while sense 6 describes abstract, moral, or intellectual nobility.
常見錯誤
grand — noun
1. an informal unit meaning one thousand dollars or pounds; used especially when ta
an informal unit meaning one thousand dollars or pounds; used especially when talking about prices, costs, or salaries in everyday conversation.
Eli spent five grand on a used car that broke down after one month.
number + grand: five grand = £5,000 / $5,000
The painting sold for twenty grand at the auction last spring.
Adina borrowed two grand from the bank to start her small bakery business.
Annual membership costs about one grand at the private golf club near the lake.
The landlord wanted thirty grand in cash before handing over the keys.
文法句型
number + grand
a grand
用法筆記
Always follows a number (or 'a') — you cannot say 'I have grand' to mean 'I have a thousand.' The plural is unchanged: 'five grand' not 'five grands.' Used in both British (£) and American ($) contexts; readers infer the currency from context.
常見錯誤
2. a short, informal way of referring to a grand piano — a large type of piano with
a short, informal way of referring to a grand piano — a large type of piano with horizontal strings, used especially in concerts and formal music settings.
Kenji practised on the school's grand every afternoon before the concert.
informal shortening: 'the grand' = the grand piano
A black grand stood in the corner of the restaurant, but nobody played it that evening.
Christopher saved money for years to buy a baby grand for his living room.
The music teacher tuned the grand herself before the students began their recital.
- grand piano
the full, formal name
- baby grand
a smaller variant of the grand piano
- upright piano
a smaller piano with vertical strings
文法句型
play the grand
a grand
用法筆記
Less common than 'grand piano' in writing but frequent in spoken music contexts. 'Baby grand' refers to a smaller type of grand piano. Do not use 'grand' alone to mean 'upright piano' or 'electronic keyboard.'